- Date: September 25, 2023, Time 8:15 p.m. EST
- Location: Paycor Stadium: Cincinnati, OH
- Matchup: Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals (-8)
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We get a rematch of Super Bowl LVI. After an embarrassing early season loss, Cincinnati would love to have a defining win against the team that prevented them from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Storylines
Los Angeles Rams
Last season, the Rams were the defending champions, but injuries plagued some of their best players, leading to a highly disappointing season in which they did not make the playoffs. Even without their top receiver, Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles looked great with an easy 30-13 win over the Seahawks. Matthew Stafford, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, looked excellent, throwing for 334 yards. Some of his younger receivers, including Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua, were able to step up and move the ball down the field.
Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow became the most highly-paid quarterback in the league just days before Week 1. That first game could not have gone any worse, as they were crushed 24-3. The team could only gain 142 total yards, and Burrow had the fewest passing yards of his career. This is still a highly talented offense that is just one season removed from a Super Bowl appearance, and they should regroup after this stumble.
Prediction
Ignore what the Bengals offense did in the first game of the year, because the team is much better than that performance suggests. The Rams are showing that last season was a one-off and that they have the talent on both sides of the ball to be contenders. While Cincinnati has the offensive pieces to contend with LA, they don’t have the depth on the defensive side of the ball to make the necessary stops. That will help the Rams secure the win.
We suggest: Los Angeles Rams (+8) vs. Cincinnati Bengals